HAYS COUNTY
William Rojas, 28, was found guilty by a Hays County jury on Jan. 23 of murder, tampering with evidence-human corpse and tampering with evidence, according to Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins.
On Mar. 18, Judge Sherri K. Tibbe sentenced Rojas to a life sentence for murder, 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for tam- pering with evidence-human corpse and 10 years TDCJ for tampering with evidence.
William Rojas
During the trial, it was proven that Rojas murdered Esbin Santiago-Gomez with a firearm and then drove the victim’s body into Hays County, where Rojas stripped the victim of all identifying information before attempting to hide Santiago Gomez’s body. The case was investigated by detectives with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of law enforcement officers with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, Houston Police Department and the Texas Rangers.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Christopher Griffith and Courtney Hansen. Following the verdict, ADA Griffith said, “Mr. Rojas’ callousness in the murder and his actions following the murder were shocking to all those involved. Without the hard work and dedication of detectives with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Rojas would not have been brought to answer for his crimes. We offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Esbin Santiago-Gomez’s family and hope some measure of comfort is found in bringing him justice.”
Higgins added, “In addition to our gratitude for the excellent work done in investigation and prosecution of this case, the office would commend the sentence of the court as well-deserved.”
